“Don’t Decamp, You Are an Institution Here” — Fayose Urges Otti to Stay in Labour Party

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has advised Abia State Governor Alex Otti to remain in the Labour Party (LP), even as the party grapples with internal crises and a wave of defections. Fayose issued the advice on Sunday during a visit to Otti’s country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South, where he commended the governor’s leadership and urged him to resist any pressure to leave the party.

“My governor, don’t decamp; you are an institution here,” Fayose said. “Even if everybody leaves, people don’t leave. Remain there. You are the national chairman.”

Fayose’s comments came amid ongoing turbulence within the LP. After joining the party in May 2022, Otti secured victory in the 2023 general elections, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Okey Ahiwe, to become the first—and so far only—Labour Party governor in Nigeria.

In April, Otti dismissed reports that he was planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the speculation as “false, baseless, and unfounded.” As talk of a 2027 re-election bid grows, the governor has said he will consult with God before making a final decision.

During a tour of key projects across Umuahia and Aba, Fayose applauded Otti’s performance, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, and education. He singled out the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road in Aba—a once impassable route now turned into a dual carriageway—as a major achievement.

“A commercial city like Aba needs infrastructure like this,” Fayose said. “I’ve seen more than eight roads in Aba, and I’m impressed.”

He also praised Otti’s implementation of smart schools and said he planned to introduce the concept to Ekiti. “The most heartwarming—the one I love the most—is the smart school,” Fayose noted. “I sat down to understand the concept, and I’ll share it with my governor.”

Reflecting on Otti’s leadership, Fayose said the governor has returned governance to the people. “Starting is not the big deal—it’s finishing well. I want him to stay strong and finish well.”

Meanwhile, the Labour Party continues to face defections that have weakened its presence in the National Assembly. Since December 2024, LP’s numbers have dropped from 34 to 26 in the House of Representatives and from eight to six in the Senate. The exits, including that of Plateau’s Alfred Iliya Ajang, have largely been attributed to internal factional disputes.

Peter Obi, LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, has maintained that future political alignments must prioritize the welfare of citizens rather than simply seeking power. The PDP has also suffered key defections to the APC, fueling broader concerns about party stability ahead of the 2027 elections.